gone but not forgotten

Yesterday the National Catholic Register posted a story by Jimmy Akin, on Bishop Olmsted's announcement that a hospital in Phoenix could no longer be considered Catholic.

What does that story have to do with Anne Rice? you might wonder. Why would a non-Christian novelist take any interest in the question of whether or not a particular institution carries the "Catholic" label that she has forsaken? Good questions, for which I have no answer.

But Anne Rice sure had answers to the Register report. Soon after the Akin story appeared on the Register site, Rice weighed in with a comment. And another and another and another and another. Within 12 hours she had submitted more than 60 comments. (That's an average of 5 comments an hour, or one every 12 minutes. Don't try this at home; remember, she is a professional writer.)

Since Anne Rice explained her departure by complaining that the Church is anti-woman and anti-contraception, you can probably guess at the general thrust of her remarks. Still you might be left wondering:

Why is it that, 5 months after she announced she was leaving the Church, Anne Rice is still hanging around the web site of the National Catholic Register?

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Rice's remarks are one way to keep herself known, even if it is on a Catholic newspaper's website. It's like a lot of dissidents in the Church hanging around year after year complaining about everything. They could leave and go to any number of Protestant ecclesial communities that hold their positions, but if they go, then then become part of a like-minded group, rather than staying, complaining and getting notoriety for the brave, rebellious positions. Yes, let's pray for Anne Rice.

Posted by: pauljworthington637024 -
Dec. 23, 2010 10:53 AM ET USA

Apparently, she isn't finished with the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Keep her in your prayers. Also, keep another Anne in your prayers for me. Merry Christmas